3 ms·

This research paper seems to suggest that at least alcohol does: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcare/pdfs/fp/GreenAlan-AlcoholandCannabisUseInSchizophrenia.pdf http

by dchuk 14y ago

This research paper seems to suggest that at least alcohol does: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcare/pdfs/fp/GreenAlan-AlcoholandCannabisUseInSchizophrenia.pdf http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcare/pdfs/fp/GreenAlan-Alcoholand... Even if Alcohol doesn't specifically make schizophrenia worse, alcohol abuse is the most common comorbid disorder of schizophrenics and generally exacerbates all mental health problems to some extent.

gojomo 14y ago
Thanks, interesting... though the opening line does seem to suggest marijuana use remains especially linked with schizophrenia -- in prevalence at least: Alcohol use disorder, which is three times more common in patients with schizophrenia than in the general population, and cannabis use disorder, which is up to 10 times more common, both contribute to the morbidity of schizophrenia, through increased relapse, noncompliance with treatment, more hospitalizations, and poorer overall functioning.
- Nursie 14y ago
  As far as I've read, and I read whatever I can, there's still no evidence one way or another about which causes which. Does cannabis have a causitive or trigger effect on schizophrenia? Or are schizophrenics more likely to live on the fringes of society and encounter (and like) cannabis?
  - jlgreco 14y ago
    This is a valid point, and more work needs to be done in this field. However I think a fairly safe default is to tell kids not to smoke pot until we can make a more educated decision (provided of course we don't extend that ban to adults for no reason, and provided we don't purposely ruin the lives of kids who don't listen. (You wouldn't arrest or kick a kid out of school for smoking tobacco.)).
  - drusenko 14y ago
    Just one person's anecdote, but I am close with a person who is schizophrenic. Marijuana use significantly contributed to episode occurrence. After their psychologist told them that it can make things worse, they stopped, and it improved their situation considerably. I think it's related to the whole paranoia side of things.
  - rhizome 14y ago
    Or even more simply: is there something in marijuana that makes schizophrenia more tolerable than with alcohol. Furthermore, mentally ill people are going to have more trouble finding a regular pot dealer, the black market being an inherently suspicious place, so as their condition worsens alcohol becomes the most-available drug.

by dchuk 14y ago

gojomo 14y ago

Thanks, interesting... though the opening line does seem to suggest marijuana use remains especially linked with schizophrenia -- in prevalence at least: Alcohol use disorder, which is three times more common in patients with schizophrenia than in the general population, and cannabis use disorder, which is up to 10 times more common, both contribute to the morbidity of schizophrenia, through increased relapse, noncompliance with treatment, more hospitalizations, and poorer overall functioning.

Nursie 14y ago
As far as I've read, and I read whatever I can, there's still no evidence one way or another about which causes which. Does cannabis have a causitive or trigger effect on schizophrenia? Or are schizophrenics more likely to live on the fringes of society and encounter (and like) cannabis?
- jlgreco 14y ago
  This is a valid point, and more work needs to be done in this field. However I think a fairly safe default is to tell kids not to smoke pot until we can make a more educated decision (provided of course we don't extend that ban to adults for no reason, and provided we don't purposely ruin the lives of kids who don't listen. (You wouldn't arrest or kick a kid out of school for smoking tobacco.)).
- drusenko 14y ago
  Just one person's anecdote, but I am close with a person who is schizophrenic. Marijuana use significantly contributed to episode occurrence. After their psychologist told them that it can make things worse, they stopped, and it improved their situation considerably. I think it's related to the whole paranoia side of things.
- rhizome 14y ago
  Or even more simply: is there something in marijuana that makes schizophrenia more tolerable than with alcohol. Furthermore, mentally ill people are going to have more trouble finding a regular pot dealer, the black market being an inherently suspicious place, so as their condition worsens alcohol becomes the most-available drug.